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Recently, artificial intelligence has become a major trend, with applications ranging from passing exams to delivering speeches.
Recently, artificial intelligence has become a major trend, with applications ranging from passing exams to delivering speeches. In a world-first, a Japanese supermarket chain has implemented an AI system called ‘Mr Smile’ to assess and standardize employees’ smiles.
Developed by InstaVR, this AI accurately rates shop assistants’ service attitudes, marking a new advancement in AI technology. AEON recently became the first company globally to adopt a smile-gauging AI system, implementing it across its 240 stores.
The AI, designed to standardize staff smiles, aims to enhance customer satisfaction, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP). The system evaluates over 450 factors, including facial expressions, voice volume, and greeting tone.
It also incorporates “game” elements to encourage staff to enhance their service attitude by challenging their scores. AEON initially trialed its AI smile-assessment system in eight stores with around 3,400 staff, noting a 1.6-fold improvement in service attitudes over three months.
However, the initiative has sparked criticism over potential workplace harassment. Critics argue that standardizing smiles could lead to customer exploitation and diminish the personal touch of genuine service. Some see the approach as impersonal and inappropriate.
